EDEN HAZARD was sent off for kicking a ball boy as Chelsea crashed out of the Capital One Cup semi-finals on a night of shame for the club.

As Swansea were left celebrating reaching a major cup final for the first time in their history, their triumph was overshadowed by the controversy.

Ten minutes from the end Belgium star Hazard clashed with 17-year-old Charlie Morgan - who had held on to the ball to delay a quick restart - kicking out at the youngster in the ribs as he lay on the ground.

Morgan, son of a Swansea director, was interviewed afterwards by police with his father, but no charges were pressed. The teenager was invited into the Chelsea dressing room where Hazard apologised.

A ball boy (second right) is ushered away from the sidelines

The boy put his whole body on to the ball

Eden Hazard

Hazard said: "The boy put his whole body on to the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball. I think I kicked it and not the boy. I apologise. It is over. Sorry."

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup said: "I can understand Hazard was frustrated, but there are some things you can never do. You can't kick the ball boy. I'm sure when he sees it he will regret it. You can never accept kicking another person like that."

Morgan appeared to suggest he was planning on time wasting before the game on what is thought to be his Twitter account: "The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting."

Hazard will be given an automatic three-match ban but the FA are certain to investigate the incident further.

Eden Hazard walks off the pitch after getting a red card

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez said: "The boy has been in the dressing room and they have spoken. They have apologised to each other. They knew they were both wrong. He was wasting time, Hazard wanted to get the ball back quickly. They both made mistakes and both have said they were wrong.

"We will deal with this internally. Hazard was frustrated, he wanted to get the ball back. He was kicking the ball, trying to get the ball. Do people think we are not disappointed with the situation? That we don't regret what's happened?"

Laudrup looked forward to the final against Bradford, saying: "To be in a final for the first time is absolutely fantastic. To have beaten the European champions over two games without conceding a goal is incredible.

"The players, staff and fans will need a couple of days to understand we are at Wembley. What we have achieved is a small fairy tale."